Turning Your Backyard Into The Elevated Outdoors

Outdoor living spaces complete with pizza ovens and fireplaces may take the lead in outdoor living today, but such spaces come in all shapes and sizes.

And one does not need rolling acres of land and a majestic landscape to possess a little slice of paradise. Even a small yard, a large terrace, or even a roof deck can have the same relaxing effect.

“Folks are not using their backyards on Memorial Day and Labor Day anymore,” says Charles Gamarekian, founder of Cambridge Pavers, Inc. “It is an outdoor space for all four seasons. In the wintertime, they are sitting around their fire pits and during the holiday time or during a cocktail party in the home they have the fireplace roaring outside.”

Gamarekian adds that the outdoor living trend has been elevated over the last few years with homeowners wanting to create that perfect staycation in their own backyard.

“There is outdoor living available for every budget,” he says.

So kick off the flip-flops or keep on the snow boots and take in these year-round outdoor living space designs that will inspire grilling s’mores in any season.

The homeowner in this waterfront home in Oceanside wanted an outdoor living space offering a European flair. Marty Bevilacqua, owner of Oceanville Mason Supply, provided all the materials and landscape and mason contractors designed the space and did the installation, transforming the area into an alfresco-dining-party space.

Cambridge Pavers and Bellmore-based Harborwood Construction transformed the yard of this split-level Massapequa home into a spacious outdoor living area that gives it that resort feel complete with all the amenities that the homeowners wanted.

“What made this property different was that it was narrow, and we were still able to accomplish what the homeowners wanted, which was different areas for entertaining and also privacy,” says Charles Gamarekian, who collaborated on the project with Haborwood Construction.

Harborwood worked closely with the homeowners, creating a three-dimensional design in every inch of the space within the client’s budget, using Cambridge Pavingstones, wall stones and an outdoor living kit.

“We can customize any kits, depending on your budget, from starter to sky’s the limit,” he says. “We also do hardscaping and projects in different phases, where one year you may put in a fire pit and the next year an indoor kitchen. As the homeowner’s budget grows, we grow with them.

For this project, the homeowners hope to extend the patio and add another seating area with a fireplace or install a pizza oven for their next addition.”